Injured Norwich officer still on mend

Norwich Police Officer First Class Jonathan Ley remains out of work as he recovers from multiple gunshot wounds sustained during a January stand-off, but that hasn’t prevented him from contributing to the department.

Norwich Police Officer First Class Jonathan Ley remains out of work as he recovers from multiple gunshot wounds sustained during a January stand-off, but that hasn’t prevented him from contributing to the department.

Next weekend, hundreds of people are expected at Dodd Stadium for a benefit in Ley’s name, with a portion of the proceeds, at Ley’s request, going to purchase new combat tactical gear for officers.

“That gear saved their lives and is absolutely necessary for them to have,” said Rachel Lenda, one of Ley’s close friends and an organizer behind “Rock The Day Way with Jonathan Ley,” which is set for March 30.

Ley, a 14-year veteran of the city’s police force, was shot four times on Jan. 8 during a standoff at the Cedar Glen Apartments. He initially spent three days at Yale-New Haven Hospital before being released. A complication that arose from his surgery forced him to go back to the hospital, but Lenda said Ley is now at home and recovering.

“While his body is slowly recovering, his mind is also,” said Lenda, who rushed to the hospital to be with Ley and his family the night of the shooting.

Lenda said Ley is walking without assistance and has enough stamina for about 4 or 5 hours of exertion a day.

But his only goal is to rejoin his colleagues at the police department.

“There is not a time line right now,” Lenda said. “He is in absolutely no shape to return to work, but he absolutely anticipates returning. He has great hope of using this situation and training off of it.”

The day-long event at Dodd will feature live music, a silent auction that includes a baseball autographed by legendary New York Yankees pitcher Mariano Rivera, food selections from 11 area restaurants and a softball game between members of the city’s police and fire departments.

Lenda said Ley insisted the fundraiser recognize all the officers who were with him the night of the shooting.

“Because there were other officers during that incident that were affected as well, Johnny doesn’t want it to be all about him,” Lenda said. “It’s also about his brothers and sisters at the Norwich Police Department. That’s the message he wants driven.”

During a Thursday night visit to Norwich, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy held a private meeting with Ley before thanking him through an official proclamation.

“Your actions while in the line of duty represent true heroism. We are proud to call you a fellow resident of the state of Connecticut,” Malloy said.

Lenda said Ley is “truly humbled” by the outpouring of support from the community, and anticipates being at Dodd Stadium for the event.

“For him to be sitting at home right now, he’s going stir crazy,” Lenda said. “But he whole-heartedly wants to ensure the fellow officers that were with him are recognized for their valor.”